Piaggio calls attention to new scooter program

Piaggio Group’s North American subsidiary is hailing a new pilot program that should only help drive scooter sales in a key East Coast city.

On Aug. 26, Boston began a motor scooter and motorcycle on-street parking pilot program to better accommodate two-wheel commuting. Scooter enthusiasts will now find 40 spaces designated for scooter and motorcycle parking throughout the Back Bay area.

The spaces are metered and pro-rated with 25 cents buying one hour instead of the standard 15 minutes. For commuters, the meters will be on from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and off at nights. Additionally, the parking spots do not have a time limit, eliminating the need to feed the meter.

“I’d like to congratulate Mayor Thomas Menino on his decision to execute a two-wheel parking program for the city of Boston,” said Paolo Timoni, president and CEO of Piaggio Group Americas. “With better fuel economy than hybrid cars, scooters are not only a viable solution when it comes to reducing traffic congestion, but equally effective at reducing America’s oil consumption and protecting our environment.

“I can only hope that more cities will follow Boston’s example and offer similar programs for two-wheel commuters.”

In addition to Boston, other U.S. metropolitan cities already have programs and incentives for two-wheel commuters. San Francisco has more than 1,000 designated parking spaces and areas for motor scooters, and other cities have orchestrated motor scooter commuter days, including Atlanta and Philadelphia.